Hotel Minella in Clonmel was the venue on Saturday night for the 2023 Local Authority Members Association(LAMA) Community & Council Awards sponsored by IPB Insurance.
The Suir Blueway emerged as winner of the Best Trail in Ireland, Tipperary town resident Jean Nelson was the runner up in the Community Volunteer of the Year and Joe MacGrath, CEO of Tipperary County council was chosen as the recipient for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The awards highlight the work done within local communities as well as acknowledge achievements by County Councils, partnerships and projects across Ireland.
The Suir Blueway includes opportunities to walk, cycle or kayak between Carrick on Suir and Cahir.
The award was accepted by Tipperary County Council, Carrick on Suir MD and Clonmel Borough Council.
The pathways were widened last year and additional signage installed. The project offers outdoor activity while linking heritage locations along the route.
Cllr Micheal Anglim, Tipperary Cahir Cashel Councillor and Chairperson of LAMA requested that the award ceremony be moved out of Dublin on alternate years leading to this years “trip to tipp”.
Other Highlights of the evening included the coveted Grand Prix Award, being awarded to Cork County Council, who won as they had the most shortlisted and winning projects combined over an aggregate score.
Council of the Year went to Mayo County Council for their stellar yearlong work, while Clare County Council was recognised with the National Impact Award for their 4 pillar approach of Rural, Economic, Physical and Social Development alignment.
The full list of winners is outlined below.
| Category | Winner |
| Best Trail in Ireland 2023 | Tipperary County Council – Widening and Signage Improvements along the Suir Blueway – Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir |
| Lifetime Achievement Award 2023 | Joe McGrath – CEO Tipperary County Council |
| Community Volunteer of the Year 2023 | Winner: Jill Kennon & Elaine Murphy-Byrne -Carrickmacross Toy Library – Monaghan County Council Runner Up: Jean Nelson, Tipperary town |
| Best Irish Festival 2023 | Cork Lifelong Learning Festival – Cork City Council |
| Best Green Sustainable Initiative 2023 | Bí Urban Raingarden Project – Dublin City Council Bí Urban/LAWPRO |
| Best Mental Health Initiative 2023 | TEEN TALK – Cork County Council |
| Best Community Transport Initiative 2023 | Inclusive Cycling For All – Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
| Best Business working with the Community 2023 | The Food Hub, Drumshanbo – Leitrim County Council |
| Best Enterprise & Start-up Hub 2023 | The PorterShed Story – Galway County Council |
| Best Micro Start-up 2023 | Aqualicense – Wicklow County Council |
| Best Irish Language Initiative 2023 | Gaillimh le Gaeilge – Galway City Council |
| Best Town or Village Regeneration 2023 | Cnoc na Gaoithe Cultural Centre – Clare County Council |
| Best Social Housing Project 2023 | Housing Development at An Eastát Garrán Feá, Beechgrove, Clonakilty – Cork County Council |
| Best Innovation in Urban Planning 2023 | Water Rock Urban Expansion Area – A LIHAF Initiative – Cork County Council |
| Most Inclusive Project 2022 | Lough Ree Access For All – Roscommon County Council |
| Best Communications initiative/Innovation 2023 | CE Innovation Fund Projects – Fingal County Council |
| Best Tourism Initiative 2023 | Explore Cork’ app – Cork County Council |
| Best Energy Smart Initiative 2023 | Cork City Council – LED Lantern Upgrade Project |
| Best Community Health Initiative 2023 | Enniscorthy Community Allotments – Wexford County Council |
| Best CSR Project in a Community 2023 | Community CSR – GAS Networks Ireland |
| Best Social Enterprise of the Year 2023 | The No Barriers Foundation – Donegal County Council |
| Best Environmental/Ecological Project/Initiative 2023 | 1. Green Space for Health Project – Cork City Council 2. Lixnaw Integrated Constructed wetland – Kerry County Council |
| National Impact Award | Clare County Council |
| Council of the year | Mayo County Council |
| Grand Prix Award | Cork County Council |
